Archery bowstring release

ABSTRACT

A hand-held device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring. The device includes a substantially T-shaped main body of two spaced apart members that are T-shaped, the crossbar of the body being adapted for manual gripping by the user with his hand in a palm down position, and the center leg of the body projecting forwardly therefrom. The crossbar and center leg of each member are in substantially a common plane. A string receiving first notch is formed in the forward end of the central leg. A rotatable member having a second notch formed therein is swingable between a cocked position, with opposite side portions defining opposite sides of the second notch extending transversely of the first notch, and a release position swung out of the way of the notch in the main body. An elongate catch arm is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the main body. The forward end of the catch arm is shiftable between a holding position for retaining the holding member in its cocked position and a release position allowing release of the holding member. A trigger adjacent the other end of the operator arm is manually shiftable in opposite directions for swinging the catch portion between its cocked and release positions.

United States Patent n 1 Keck [ ARCHERY BOWSTRING RELEASE Elmer L. Keck, 1705 SE. 136th Ave., Vancouver, Wash. 98664 [76] Inventor:

[52] 11.5. C1 124/35 A [51] Int. Cl. F41C 19/00 [58] Field of Search 124/35 A, 41 25, 31; 24/132 WL, 241 PP, 230 AV, 230 A; 294/83 R, 26

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 707,000 8/1902 Pease 124/35 R 2.8411 14 7/1958 Duncan .4 124/35 R X 3,537,152 11/1970 Foumier 24/230 A 3,757,763 9/1973 Pinti et a1. l 124/35 A 3,818,888 6/1974 Keeney et a1. l A 124/35 A 3,833,971 9/1974 Grasman et a1 24/139 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kolisch, Hartwell, Dickinson & Stuart 51 Aug. 12, 1974 1 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A hand-held device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring. The device includes a substantially T-shaped main body of two spaced apart members that are T-shaped, the crossbar of the body being adapted for manual gripping by the user with his hand in a palm down position, and the center leg of the body projecting forwardly therefrom. The crossbar and center leg 0 each member are in substantially a common plane. A string receiving first notch is formed in the forward end of the central leg. A rotatable member having a second notch formed therein is swingable between a cocked position, with opposite side portions defining opposite sides of the second notch extending transversely of the first notch, and a release position swung out of the way of the notch in the main body. An elongate catch arm is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the main body. The forward end of the catch arm is shiftable between a holding position for retaining the holding member in its cocked position and a release position allowing release of the holding member. A trigger adjacent the other end of the operator arm is manually shiftable in opposite directions for swinging the catch portion between its cocked and release positions.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures ARCHERY BOWSTRING RELEASE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device to aid an archer in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring.

Various types of devices have been designed in the past in an attempt to aid archers in drawing and releasing bowstrings. For the most part, such devices have not been successful, in that they have been either overly complex and cumbersome, have produced less than desired accuracy in release of the arrow, or have produced excessive wear on the bowstring in the region engaged by the device.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a novel device for drawing and releasing an archery bowstring which overcomes the above-noted objections of prior devices in a simple and efficient mantll.

Another object is to provide such a novel device which is simply and inexpensively constructed and is of convenient size and design for comfortable holding and to produce accurate arrow release.

Yet another object is to provide such a novel device for drawing and releasing an archery bowstring which produces minimal wear on the bowstring in the region engaged by the device.

A still further object is to provide a novel device for drawing and releasing an archery bowstring which may be left unattended on the bowstring when not in use.

A still further object is to provide a novel device for drawing and releasing an archery bowstring which may be operatively connected to a bowstring prior to drawing, merely by pressing the bowstring into a receiving notch in the device. The construction of the device is such that when the bowstring is pressed into the notch, a string holding member is moved into a cocked position and is held in this cocked position until manually released as desired by the user.

More specifically, the device of the invention includes a main body having an elongate handle portion and a string holding portion projecting outwardly at a substantial angle therefrom. The device is adapted to be held by a user with the handle portion substantially horizontal and the user's hand held palm down. The string holding portion projects substantially horizontally forwardly from the users hand. A forwardly opening string receiving notch, extending vertically in the device when used, is adapted to receive a string therein. A string holding member is pivotally mounted adjacent the string receiving notch in the main body and this member has a notch therein which coincides with the string receiving notch in the main body when the device is cocked. A side of the string holding member bounding a side of the notch therein holds a string in the notches when the device is cocked. On release of the holding member it is operable to swing toward the open end of the string receiving notch to release the bowstring therefrom. An operator arm pivotally mounted in the main body has a catch portion adjacent its forward end operable to hold the string holding member in its cocked position and a trigger adjacent its opposite end engageable by a users finger or thumb which may be shifted substantially horizontally to swing the catch portion of the operator arm out of engagement with the catch member to allow it to release the bowstring.

DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention illustrated in use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the device taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the forward end of the device as illustrated in FIG. 2 with a top plate thereof removed and illustrating loading a bowstring into the device;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the device with a top plate thereof removed illustrating the device in its cocked position; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with a string holding member therein released.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, and first more specifically to FIG. I, at 10 is indicated generally a device for drawing and releasing an archery bowstring constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A bowstring 12 is illustrated loaded in and drawn by the device. The rear, or nocked, end of an arrow 14 is illustrated in dashed outline nocked on the bowstring, and a users hand is illustrated in dashed outline at 16.

Describing device 10 in detail, it includes a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom plates 18, 20, respectively. Each of the plates has the somewhat T- shaped configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 for plate member 18 and as illustrated in FIG. 6 for plate 20. The plates have what may be referred to as crossbar, or handle, portions 18a, 20a and central leg portions, also referred to as string holding portions, 18b, 20b extending outwardly at a substantial angle from intermediate regions of portions 18a, 20a. The forward ends of these central legs each have a notch formed therein 18c, 200 which open to the forward end of the device.

Body plate 18 is planar and of substantially constant thickness throughout. The string holding portion 20b of body plate 20 and the central region of its handle portion 20a also are planar and of substantially constant thickness. Opposite end sections 20e, 20f of the handle portion, however, are of increased thickness, as is best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 6. When the plates 18, 20 are placed in juxtaposed aligned, or registering, relationship, as illustrated, their forward notches 18c, 20c are aligned to define a common string receiving notch, or channel, which extends vertically through the forward end of the device when the plate members are held substantially horizontal and opens to the forward end thereof. Sections 20e. 20f of increased cross section act as spacer means to maintain string holding portions 18h, 20b, and central regions of the handle portions in positions spaced apart a preselected distance.

A pair of projections 24, 26 extend outwardly from sections 20e, 20f (see FIG. 6) and are received in accommodating bores in plate 20 when the device is assembled, thus to aid in initially establishing and maintaining alignment of the body plates. A screw fastener 30 extends through accommodating bores in plates I8, 20 to secure the plate members together.

A pivot post 32 (see FIGS. 57) is secured at one of its ends to a forward portion of string holding portion b and projects outwardly therefrom toward portion 18b. Mounted in the space between the forward ends of portions 18b, 20b and journaled for rotation on post 32 is a bowstring holding member 36 having the configuration illustrated in FIGS. S-7.

Member 36 includes an elongate arm portion 36a and a side portion 36b spaced therefrom which define a string receiving notch therebetween. The holding member is swingable about post 32 between what is referred to herein as a holding, or cocked, position as illustrated in FIG. 6 and a release position as illustrated in FIG. 7. In its cocked position, portions 36a, 36b extend transversely of notches 18c, 20c, with arm portion 360 adjacent the forward end of the notch, portion 36b adjacent the rear end of the notch, and the notch formed therebetween coinciding with a portion of the string receiving notch, or channel, in the body plates. In its release position, the holding member is swung forwardly whereby arm portion 360 swings laterally to the side of the string receiving channel, or notch, in plates 18, 20 to open the front end of such notch, whereby a string may exist therefrom. In this release position, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, a forward surface of arm portion 36b extends transversely of the string receiving notches, or channel, at the forward end of the main body.

As is seen in FIGS. 5-7, an elongate, arcuate opening 40 is formed in member 36. A stop post 42 secured at one of its ends to plate portion 20b and projecting outwardly toward plate portion 18b extends through opening 40. A compression spring 44 is interposed between posts 42 and an end of opening 40 to yieldably urge member 36 to rotate in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 5-7 from its cocked toward its release position. The length of opening 40 is such that when member 36 is rotated to the positions illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, an end of opening 40 engages post 42 to act as a stop to limit rotation of the holding member to such posi tion.

An elongate arcuate operating, or catch, arm 46 is interposed between plates 18, 20 and extends through the space between sections 208, 20f acting as spacers. Arm 46 is pivotally mounted on the main body by being journaled intermediate its ends on screw fastener 30.

The outer, or forward, end of operating arm 46 has a hooked, or catch, portion 46a adapted to catch arm portion 36a of the string holding member is illustrated in FIG. 6 and hold it in a cocked position. The opposite end of the operating arm includes a trigger portion 461) which projects substantially normal to the plane of the major portion of the operating arm and is disposed adjacent one end of handle portions 18a, 20a of the plate members.

An elongate compression spring 54 (see FIG. 6) interposed between operating arm 46 and section 20] yieldably biases arm 46 to rotate the same in a clockwise direction as illustrated in FIG. 6 toward a holding, catch, position whereby it may engage and hold member 36. Rotation of operating arm 46 in a counterclockwise direction, against the urging of spring 54, shifts catch portion 46a of the arm to a release position as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7 which releases holding member 36 to allow it to rotate to its release position as seen in these figures.

An elongate adjustment screw 56 seen in dashed outline in FIG. 6, extends through a threaded bore in section 20 of plate 20. Operating arm 46 abuts an end of screw 56 when swung in a clockwise direction, with screw 56 thus providing an adjustable stop for selectively adjusting the extent to which catch portion 46a overlies portion 36a on holding member 36. The amount by which trigger portion 46b must be moved to release the bowstring thus may be selectively set to provide either a hair trigger or a less sensitive release.

Describing the operation of the device, the user first grips the handle of the device provided by portions 180, 20a, preferably with his index finger on one side of portions 18b, 20b and two fingers on the opposite side, with portions 18b, 20b extending forwardly between his fingers. With holding member 36 in its release position as illustrated in FIG. 5, bowstring 12 is inserted into the string receiving notch with the string substantially normal to plates 18, 20. The string is pressed against the forwardly facing surface of portion 36b. As the bowstring is pressed thereagainst, it rotates holding member 36 in a counterclockwise direction, against the urging of spring 44, toward the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The forward end of catch portion 460 is rounded to permit arm 36a to move thereover, urging the catch portion 46a away from the notch, until arm 36a is in the cocked position illustrated in FIG. 6. When the pressure of the bowstring has urged the holding member to the position shown in FIG. 6 catch portion 46a of operating arm 46 comes into a holding, or cocked, position overlying arm portion 360. Bowstring 12 then is held in the coinciding notches of the main body and holding member 36.

With holding member 36 thus held in its cocked position, the bow may be held upright and the device is held substantially horizontal with the user's hand 16 held palm down, as illustrated in dot-dashed outline in FIG. I. The bowstring then may be drawn with the users hand held palm down and this thumb against trigger portion 46b. When the bowstring has been drawn to a desired position and the arrow has been properly aimed, the user swings trigger 460 with his thumb in a substantially horizontal plane against the urging of spring 54. This rotates arm 46 about fastener 30 to swing catch portion 460 of the operating arm to the position illustrated in FIG. 7, thus to release the holding member. The holding member then swings to its release position under the urging of spring 44 and the tension in the bowstring, thus releasing the bowstring from the front of the notches.

With such construction, as the string is released the spring-rotated holding member swings outwardly and forwardly with the bowstring to produce minimum wear of the string and thus increase string life. The catch member does not engage the string, and thus there is no lateral movement of a face of the catch member across the string which may produce inaccuracies in release and wear on the string.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bow string comprising a body including an elongate handle means for grasping by a user and a bowstring receiving portion spaced forwardly from said handle means, said handle means and bowstring receiving portion occupying a substantially common plane, and said bowstring receiving portion having a string receiving notch fonned therein which extends through the body and is substantially normal to said substantially common plane and opens to the forward side of said string receiving portion, said handle means being adapted for manual gripping and being positioned in a substantially horizontal position perpendicular to a plane occupied by a bow and bowstring with the users hand held palm down when grasping handle means during the holding and releasing of a bowstring and said string receiving notch extending vertically,

string holding means for engaging and holding a bowstring in said notch including an elongate arm and pivot means pivotally mounting said arm for swinging about a pivot asix spaced to one side of said notch between a cocked position in which said arm extends across and closes off a forward side of said notch to hold a bowstring therein and a release position in which said arm is swung laterally of said notch and forwardly of its cocked position to release a bowstring from the notch, and

catch means mounted for movement toward and away from said string holding means between a holding position in which it is operable to retain said string holding arm in its cocked position and a release position permitting swinging of said holding arm to its release position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pivot axis provided by said pivot means extends substantially normal to said plane and said string holding means further comprises a cocking portion spaced rearwardly from said arm, operatively connected to said arm, and projecting into said notch when said arm is in its release position, said cocking portion having a forwardly facing surface against which a bowstring may be pressed to urge the cocking portion to shift rearwardly in the notch and its operative connection with said arm producing swinging of said arm to its cocked position with the string held in the notch between said arm and cocking portion.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said holding means comprises a unitary member pivotally connected to said body and said arm and cocking portions comprise portions of said member projecting to one side of said pivot means in a direction substantially parallel to said plane.

4. The device of claim 1, which further comprises yieldable biasing means urging said arm toward its release position.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said catch means comprises a catch portion adjacent said forward end of the device operable when in its holding position to engage said string holding means and a manually operable trigger portion adjacent said handle means shiftable in a plane substantially paralleling said plane of the handle means and operatively connected to said catch portion for shifting the same between its holding and release positions.

6. The device of claim 5, which further comprises yieldable biasing means urging said catch portion toward its holding position.

7. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring comprising a main body including a handle means for grasping by a user and a bowstring receiving portion spaced forwardly from said handle portion, said handle portion and bowstring receiving portion occupying a substantially common plane, and said bowstring receiving portion having a string receiving notch formed therein which extends vertically through the body and is substantially normal to said substantially common plane and opens to the forward side of said string receiving portion, said handle portion being adapted for manual gripping and being positioned in a substantially horizontal position perpendicular to the plane occupied by a bow and bowstring with the users hand held palm down when grasping the handle means during the holding and releasing of a bowstring and said string receiving notch extending vertically,

a string holding member having laterally spaced, opposed side portions defining a second notch therebetween extending therethrough substantially normal to said plane and opening to one side of said holding member, said member being pivotally mounted on said body for swinging about a pivot axis spaced laterally of said first-mentioned notch and extending substantially normal to said plane between a cocked position in which said side portions defining said second notch extend transversely of the first-mentioned notch with a portion of said second notch coinciding with a portion of the first-mentioned notch to define a string holding region with said side portions of the holding member bounding front and rear sides of said region, and a release position swung forwardly about said pivot axis with the forward one of said said portions swung laterally of the first-mentioned notch to permit release of a bowstring therefrom, and

an elongate operator arm pivotally mounted on said main body for swinging relative thereto about a pivot axis extending substantially normal to said plane between a holding position and a release position, said operator arm having a catch portion adjacent the forward end thereof operable when in its holding position to engage and hold said string holding member in its cocked position and when in its release position to permit swinging of said catch member to its release position and a trigger means adjacent said handle portion of the main body adapted for manual shifting in opposite directions in a plane substantially paralleling the plane of said handle means, with movement in one direction producing shifting of said catch portion from its holding to its release position.

8. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring comprising a body including an elongate handle means for grasping by a user and an elongate string holding portion projecting outwardly at a substantial angle from said handle means intermediate the ends of said handle means, with said handle means and the forward end of said string holding portion spaced forwardly from said handle means and occupying a substantially common plane perpendicular to a plane occupied by a bow and bowstring during normal use, said string holding portion having a string receiving notch extending therethrough substantially normal to said substantially common plane and opening in a direction facing away from said handle means,

a string holding member having laterally spaced side portions defining a second notch therebetween opening to one side of said member, said member being pivotally mounted on said string holding portion of the body for swinging about a pivot axis spaced laterally from said first-mentioned notch said pivot axis extending substantially normal to said plane between a cocked position in which its side portions extend transversely of said firstmentioned notch with said second notch coinciding with a portion of said first-mentioned notch to define a string holding region and a forwardmost side portion of said member being operable to hold a bowstring in said region and a release position wherein said forwardmost side portion is swung laterally of said first-mentioned notch to open the forward end of said region, and

catch means for engaging and holding said string holding member manually shiftable between a holding position engaging and holding said string holding member in its cocked position and a release position out of engagement therewith permitting swinging of said string holding member to its release position.

9. The device of claim 8, which further comprises biasing means operatively connected to said string holding member for yieldably urging said member toward its release position.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein said catch means comprises an elongate arm having a catch portion adjacent said string holding member and a trigger mounted adjacent said handle means for manual shifting in opposite directions in said plane.

11. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring comprising a top body plate and a bottom body plate of substantially similar configuration, each body plate having an elongate handle portion and a string receiving portion secured to and projecting outwardly from said handle portion intermediate the ends of the handle portion and occupying a common plane with said handle portion, said string receiving portion having a notch formed therein which extends substantially normal to said plane and opens to the forward end thereof,

spacer means maintaining a laterally spaced relation ship between said string receiving portions of said top and bottom plates means securing said body plates in registry with each other with said notches defining a common string receiving channel open to the forward end of the body plates,

a string holding means including an elongate arm pivotally connected to a body plate for swinging in a plane intermediate said string receiving portions of said body plates and said holding means being movable between a cocked position extending across said common string receiving channel for holding a bowstring therein and a release position swung laterally of said channel forwardly of its cocked position, and

catch means for holding said string holding means in its cocked position and for releasing holding means to permit pivoting of the holding means and release of a bowstring 12. The device of claim I], wherein said catch means comprises an elongate arm extending through said space intermediate said body plates and having a catch portion adjacent its forward end shiftable into and away from enngagement with said string holding means and a trigger portion adjacent said handle means of the body member manually shiftable to produce such movement of said catch means.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said elongate arm of said catch means is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one of said body plates.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3 89 974 DATED August 12, 1974 INVENTOR(S) Elmer Keck It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown betow:

Title Page, Item [45] "Aug. 12, 1974" should read sixteenth D ay 0f December 1975 [SEAL] A nest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner of Parents and Trademarks 

1. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bow string comprising a body including an elongate handle means for grasping by a user and a bowstring receiving portion spaced forwardly from said handle means, said handle means and bowstring receiving portion occupying a substantially common plane, and said bowstring receiving portion having a String receiving notch formed therein which extends through the body and is substantially normal to said substantially common plane and opens to the forward side of said string receiving portion, said handle means being adapted for manual gripping and being positioned in a substantially horizontal position perpendicular to a plane occupied by a bow and bowstring with the user''s hand held palm down when grasping handle means during the holding and releasing of a bowstring and said string receiving notch extending vertically, string holding means for engaging and holding a bowstring in said notch including an elongate arm and pivot means pivotally mounting said arm for swinging about a pivot asix spaced to one side of said notch between a cocked position in which said arm extends across and closes off a forward side of said notch to hold a bowstring therein and a release position in which said arm is swung laterally of said notch and forwardly of its cocked position to release a bowstring from the notch, and catch means mounted for movement toward and away from said string holding means between a holding position in which it is operable to retain said string holding arm in its cocked position and a release position permitting swinging of said holding arm to its release position.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said pivot axis provided by said pivot means extends substantially normal to said plane and said string holding means further comprises a cocking portion spaced rearwardly from said arm, operatively connected to said arm, and projecting into said notch when said arm is in its release position, said cocking portion having a forwardly facing surface against which a bowstring may be pressed to urge the cocking portion to shift rearwardly in the notch and its operative connection with said arm producing swinging of said arm to its cocked position with the string held in the notch between said arm and cocking portion.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said holding means comprises a unitary member pivotally connected to said body and said arm and cocking portions comprise portions of said member projecting to one side of said pivot means in a direction substantially parallel to said plane.
 4. The device of claim 1, which further comprises yieldable biasing means urging said arm toward its release position.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said catch means comprises a catch portion adjacent said forward end of the device operable when in its holding position to engage said string holding means and a manually operable trigger portion adjacent said handle means shiftable in a plane substantially paralleling said plane of the handle means and operatively connected to said catch portion for shifting the same between its holding and release positions.
 6. The device of claim 5, which further comprises yieldable biasing means urging said catch portion toward its holding position.
 7. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring comprising a main body including a handle means for grasping by a user and a bowstring receiving portion spaced forwardly from said handle portion, said handle portion and bowstring receiving portion occupying a substantially common plane, and said bowstring receiving portion having a string receiving notch formed therein which extends vertically through the body and is substantially normal to said substantially common plane and opens to the forward side of said string receiving portion, said handle portion being adapted for manual gripping and being positioned in a substantially horizontal position perpendicular to the plane occupied by a bow and bowstring with the user''s hand held palm down when grasping the handle means during the holding and releasing of a bowstring and said string receiving notch extending vertically, a string holding member having laterally spaced, opposed side portions defining a second notch therebetween extending therethrough substantially normal to said plane And opening to one side of said holding member, said member being pivotally mounted on said body for swinging about a pivot axis spaced laterally of said first-mentioned notch and extending substantially normal to said plane between a cocked position in which said side portions defining said second notch extend transversely of the first-mentioned notch with a portion of said second notch coinciding with a portion of the first-mentioned notch to define a string holding region with said side portions of the holding member bounding front and rear sides of said region, and a release position swung forwardly about said pivot axis with the forward one of said said portions swung laterally of the first-mentioned notch to permit release of a bowstring therefrom, and an elongate operator arm pivotally mounted on said main body for swinging relative thereto about a pivot axis extending substantially normal to said plane between a holding position and a release position, said operator arm having a catch portion adjacent the forward end thereof operable when in its holding position to engage and hold said string holding member in its cocked position and when in its release position to permit swinging of said catch member to its release position and a trigger means adjacent said handle portion of the main body adapted for manual shifting in opposite directions in a plane substantially paralleling the plane of said handle means, with movement in one direction producing shifting of said catch portion from its holding to its release position.
 8. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring comprising a body including an elongate handle means for grasping by a user and an elongate string holding portion projecting outwardly at a substantial angle from said handle means intermediate the ends of said handle means, with said handle means and the forward end of said string holding portion spaced forwardly from said handle means and occupying a substantially common plane perpendicular to a plane occupied by a bow and bowstring during normal use, said string holding portion having a string receiving notch extending therethrough substantially normal to said substantially common plane and opening in a direction facing away from said handle means, a string holding member having laterally spaced side portions defining a second notch therebetween opening to one side of said member, said member being pivotally mounted on said string holding portion of the body for swinging about a pivot axis spaced laterally from said first-mentioned notch said pivot axis extending substantially normal to said plane between a cocked position in which its side portions extend transversely of said first-mentioned notch with said second notch coinciding with a portion of said first-mentioned notch to define a string holding region and a forwardmost side portion of said member being operable to hold a bowstring in said region and a release position wherein said forwardmost side portion is swung laterally of said first-mentioned notch to open the forward end of said region, and catch means for engaging and holding said string holding member manually shiftable between a holding position engaging and holding said string holding member in its cocked position and a release position out of engagement therewith permitting swinging of said string holding member to its release position.
 9. The device of claim 8, which further comprises biasing means operatively connected to said string holding member for yieldably urging said member toward its release position.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein said catch means comprises an elongate arm having a catch portion adjacent said string holding member and a trigger mounted adjacent said handle means for manual shifting in opposite directions in said plane.
 11. A device for aid in drawing and releasing an archery bowstring comprising a top body plate and a bottom body plate of substantially similar configuration, each body plate having an elongate handle portion and a string receiving portion secured to and projecting outwardly from said handle portion intermediate the ends of the handle portion and occupying a common plane with said handle portion, said string receiving portion having a notch formed therein which extends substantially normal to said plane and opens to the forward end thereof, spacer means maintaining a laterally spaced relationship between said string receiving portions of said top and bottom plates, means securing said body plates in registry with each other with said notches defining a common string receiving channel open to the forward end of the body plates, a string holding means including an elongate arm pivotally connected to a body plate for swinging in a plane intermediate said string receiving portions of said body plates and said holding means being movable between a cocked position extending across said common string receiving channel for holding a bowstring therein and a release position swung laterally of said channel forwardly of its cocked position, and catch means for holding said string holding means in its cocked position and for releasing holding means to permit pivoting of the holding means and release of a bowstring
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said catch means comprises an elongate arm extending through said space intermediate said body plates and having a catch portion adjacent its forward end shiftable into and away from enngagement with said string holding means and a trigger portion adjacent said handle means of the body member manually shiftable to produce such movement of said catch means.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said elongate arm of said catch means is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one of said body plates. 